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Trenton’s cultural scene suffered a double blow in the past year, with the death of the Trenton Jazz Festival and the cancellation of the annual Heritage Days due to the lousy economic climate.

But the city’s annual Art All Night event at the Roebling Wire Works factory, a celebration of local artists with music, food and demonstrations, perseveres.

Anyone of any age, skill or medium can submit a single piece of art to the 24-hour festival, sponsored by Artworks, downtown Trenton’s visual arts center. (In fact, there’s still time to submit a piece; bring your work to the registration table today between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. It helps if you’ve already filled out a registration form, available on Artworks’ website, artworkstrenton.org.)

In addition to viewing hundreds of artworks, there will be glass blowing and graffiti demonstrations, yoga classes, a local music roundtable, a screening of works by Trenton-area filmmakers, a first-ever iron pour and music from pop rock band Mouth of Wilson, the classic swing band the Rhythm Kings, saxophonist Tom Tallitsch and much more.

The Roebling Wire Works is at 675 S. Clinton Ave.; parking is at 640 S. Broad St. The event starts today at 3 p.m. and runs through tomorrow at 3 p.m. For a full schedule, go to artworkstrenton.org. Admission is free.

— Vicki Hyman
Get revved
Hey guys, rev your engines up for Father’s Day tomorrow with a visit to Neiman Marcus at the Mall at Short Hills.

From 1 to 4 p.m. in the men’s department, you can get an up close and personal look at the new Maserati GranTurismo convertible.

The car is the latest variation on the trademark by the Italian automaker. The first ever soft-top convertible, built at the company’s Modena, Italy, headquarters, is the only drop-top in its class to seat four adults in full comfort in a uniquely designed cabin that delivers leading style and luxury.

Neiman Marcus is at 1200 Morris Turnpike. Call (973) 912-0080.

— Lisa Irizarry

Pick your battle
Watch meals prepared over fire. Hear the crack of muskets and roar of cannon fire. Smell the gun smoke as two armies do battle.

It can only be the 232nd anniversary celebration of the Battle of Monmouth, held today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Monmouth Battlefield State Park.

The Battle of Monmouth was one of the largest battles of the American Revolution. More than 500 re-enactors will be on hand; you’ll see enlisted men clean their weapons or spend their idle hours gambling, and watch the women of the army cook, mend and wash.

If you’ve never been to a Revolutionary War re-enactment, you’re in for a treat. And you’ll get a history lesson you’ll never forget.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park is along Route 33 and Route 522 (Englishtown-Freehold Road) on the border of Manalapan and Freehold townships, just west of Route 9. The event is free, but a donation is requested. For more information, call (732) 462-9616 or visit .state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/monbat.html.

— Peter Genovese

Spend today and tomorrow with the 2nd New Jersey Brigade as the group presents Civil War camp life demonstrations at Historic Speedwell in Morristown.

The weekend will cover all aspects of 19th-century military life, from cooking and mail call to artillery drills, staged battles and cannon firing.

Admission is $6; $5 for seniors and $4 for kids ages 4-16. The re-enactments run today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park is at 333 Speedwell Ave. Call (973) 285-6550 or visit morrisparks.net.

— Lisa Rose

Get animated
The Garden State Exhibit Center is hosting a celebration of Asian art and entertainment this weekend with Animenext.

The convention will spotlight Asian comics, gaming, role playing, costume contests and a little karaoke.

Special guests include anime director Kenji Kamiyama (“Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit,” pictured), Japanese rockers Stereopony, stand-up comic Uncle Yo and the Sleeping Samurai, a group that stages fights with foam swords.

Hours are 9 a.m. to midnight today and tomorrow 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend passes are $60; single day passes are $45 today and $35 tomorrow. Children ages 6 and younger are free. The convention center is at 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset. Call (732) 469-4000) or visit animenext.org.

— Lisa Rose
Get fishy
There are seafood festivals up and down the coast, but at how many can you actually talk to commercial fishermen?

At the 18th annual Baymen’s Seafood & Music Festival at Tuckerton Seaport today, you can enjoy delicious fresh clams, crabs, scallops and shrimp from local fishermen — and ask them questions.

There will be clam shucking classes, crafters, vendors, food, family activities, demonstrations and boat rides, plus music from Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns. New this year: mermaid and King Neptune contests.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuckerton Seaport is at 120 W. Main St. (Route 9), Tuckerton. Call (609) 296-8868 or visit tuckertonseaport.org.

— Peter Genovese

Listen
What’s your exit?

It’s 14C, if you’d like to attend a reading tonight in Hoboken for the new Jerseylicious anthology “What’s Your Exit,” which features nearly 50 writers waxing on about the Garden State in fiction, essays and poetry (wordriot.org/wrp/whats-your-exit).

Four of the writers — Paul Lisicky, Lorraine Doran, Dominic Preziosi and David Della Ferra — will read from the work and sign copies of the book, now in its second printing.

Symposia Bookstore, 510 Washington St., will be hosting the reading, which starts at 7 p.m.

— Vicki Hyman

Get geeky
Are you a comic book nerd? Are you an adult who secretly (or not so secretly) has a superhero costume stashed in the closet? Is the Batmobile your dream car?

Then strap on your cape, gather your mint edition copy of “Spawn” No. 1 and drive on down to the NJ Comic Expo.

Today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., aspiring cartoonists can have their work reviewed by famed comic creators including former “Green Lantern” writer Denny O’Neil, “Spider-Man” No. 1 editor Jim Salicrup, “Dondi” creator Irwin Hasen and “Scooby-Doo” artist Joe Staton. The expo will also feature a variety of other events for comic and superhero fans, including a sci-fi fantasy and superhero costume contest, free memorabilia appraisals by Gary Sohmers of Antique Roadshow and a chance to take photos with the Batmobile, the Black Beauty and a working “Lost in Space” robot.

The expo is at the Riverdale Armory, 107 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Riverdale, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $5; children younger than 3 are free. Call (973) 626-6620 or visit njcomicexpo.com

— Laura Martin

Dad’s picnic
Father’s Day may be an American-made holiday, but never put it past the Germans to throw a great family bash.

The Waldfest Father’s Day Picnic, hosted by the Deutscher Club of Clark, will be held tomorrow from noon to 6 p.m. at 787 Featherbed Lane for a $5 admission fee (younger than 12 are free). The event takes place in the club’s extensive pavilion and outdoor area, complete with picnic tables and a dance floor.

Kids can sign up at the beginning of the day to participate in the picnic’s main event, a children’s parade. More than 100 participants march to the sounds of Bernie’s Orchestra playing German folk music and are rewarded with a complimentary ice cream at the end of their trek.

Authentic German fare, cooked by expert club volunteers, will be served up, including bratwurst on a roll with a side of German potato salad for $6, or a double bratwurst platter for $10, as well as goulash, tortes and spätzle (egg noodles). Adults can wash it all down with a German weiss beer, while the whole family can load up at the ice cream sundae bar.

— Mary Dooe
Art
The Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel, the Starry Night ­ – what the world considers great art is so universally accepted as beautiful that it is easy to forget the more commonplace objects that inspire us and enrich our lives.

Through Aug. 8, the Newark Museum is playing host to “Make Me Something Beautiful: 2010 New Jersey Craft Arts Annual,” a celebration of individual notions of beauty and art.

This event, part of the New Jersey Arts Annual Series, will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the first decorative arts exhibition at the Newark Museum.

The museum, at 49 Washington St. in Newark, is open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 30. From July 1 through Sept. 30, Saturday and Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $10, $6 for children, seniors and students (members are free). Call (973) 596-6550 or visit newarkmuseum.org.